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Quick answer
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of FBI crime data, Harrisonburg, VA has a Safety Score of 42/100 — higher crime than 58% of US cities — with a total crime rate of 1,960.2 per 100,000 residents, ranking #1,724 of 2,957 US cities and #17 of 38 in Virginia.
Quiz: which of these is SAFER than Harrisonburg, VA?
Safety Score
Violent Crime Rate
Property Crime Rate
Is Harrisonburg, Virginia Safe?
Nestled in the Shenandoah Valley, Harrisonburg is home to James Madison University and a vibrant downtown. It boasts a diverse population, with a significant Hispanic community contributing to its unique character.
Harrisonburg has a safety score of 42/100 (Higher Crime Than Average). Based on FBI data, the city reported a total crime rate of 1,960.2 per 100,000 residents, compared to the national average of 2,785.9 per 100,000.
Harrisonburg ranks #17 out of 38 cities in Virginia and #1724 out of 2957 nationally (safest first). This places it in the 42nd percentile for safety — with higher crime than 58% of US cities.
The most elevated crime category in Harrisonburg is rape, at 56.6 per 100K — 1.3x the national average. Conversely, murder is relatively low at just 0.0x the national rate.
Year over year, Harrisonburg's total crime rate decreased by 11.9%, with violent crime rising 19.4%.
Photo: Wikimedia Commons
Harrisonburg Crime Statistics Breakdown
| Crime Type | Incidents | Rate per 100K | National Avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime | 137 | 267.2 | 478.2 |
| Murder | 0 | 0.0 | 6.3 |
| Rape | 29 | 56.6 | 43.8 |
| Robbery | 11 | 21.5 | 94.0 |
| Aggravated Assault | 97 | 189.2 | 333.5 |
| Property Crime | 868 | 1,693.0 | 2,307.7 |
| Burglary | 69 | 134.6 | 292.0 |
| Larceny-Theft | 755 | 1,472.6 | 1,657.7 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft | 44 | 85.8 | 358.0 |
| Arson | 0 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
Harrisonburg vs Virginia Average
How does Harrisonburg's crime rate compare to the Virginia state average?
| Metric | Harrisonburg | Virginia Avg | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime Rate | 267.2 | 338.9 | -21.2% |
| Property Crime Rate | 1,693.0 | 2,386.6 | -29.1% |
| Murder Rate | 0.0 | 9.8 | -100.0% |
| Total Crime Rate | 1,960.2 | 2,725.5 | -28.1% |
Harrisonburg Crime Rate Trends
Year-over-year crime rate changes for Harrisonburg, Virginia.
| Year | Coverage | Total Crime Rate | Violent Crime Rate | Property Crime Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 51,270 | 1,960.2 | 267.2 | 1,693.0 |
| 2023 | 50,928 | 2,224.7 | 223.9 | 2,000.9 |
| 2022 | 51,363 | 2,085.2 | 255.1 | 1,830.1 |
| 2021 | 53,582 | 1,758.1 | 238.9 | 1,519.2 |
| 2020 | 53,442 | 1,768.3 | 224.5 | 1,543.7 |
| 2019 | 54,387 | 1,904.9 | 205.9 | 1,698.9 |
Harrisonburg Crime Map — Surrounding Area
City-level crime rates from FBI data for Harrisonburg and nearby cities — green is safer, red is higher-crime; circle size is population. Not an incident-level map. Full state view: Virginia crime map.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Harrisonburg, Virginia safe?
Harrisonburg has a safety score of 42/100, meaning it has less crime than about 42% of US cities in our FBI dataset. With a total crime rate of 1,960.2 per 100,000 residents in 2024, Harrisonburg is higher-crime than most US cities.
What is the crime rate in Harrisonburg, Virginia?
According to FBI data for 2024, Harrisonburg has a violent crime rate of 267.2 per 100,000 and a property crime rate of 1,693.0 per 100,000 residents.
How does Harrisonburg compare to the national average?
Harrisonburg's total crime rate of 1,960.2 per 100,000 can be compared to the national average. The data covers 51,270 residents.
What types of crime are most common in Harrisonburg?
Based on FBI 2024 data, the most reported crimes in Harrisonburg are larceny-theft (755 reported incidents) and aggravated assault (97 reported incidents). Property crime outnumbers violent crime 6.3x in the city.
Is Harrisonburg safe to visit?
Like any city, Harrisonburg has areas that are safer than others. The city's overall safety score is 42/100 based on FBI crime data. Standard travel precautions are recommended.